About Me

Vetsy is my nickname that my family have fondly called me since my childhood.
My blog reflects my personal views about the world around me. My topics may be anything that interest me but the majority of it is about my favorite past times...nature and gardening.
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment or becoming a follower.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

The last couple of days here in Michigan's zone 5.. were very nasty and fierce! with lows in the teens and high winds!

During weather like this I often wonder about my feathered friends who visit my feeders and I'm sure I have asked the same questions that other bird and nature lover's have... Where do birds go at night once they are finished feeding in the evening? are they warm?... are they safe? ...will they die in this weather?

I searched the internet for some answers and my favorite store.. Wild birds unlimited surfaced and their site provided some important answers and tips that gave me a little piece of mind...Please click on the title in the header ( Where do birds go at night? ) and it will take you to the article.

Once you're done there..you may want to check out and view Marsha's garden photos titled....

she has captured some wonderful and interesting photo's of some very chilly looking little birds. I have never, every..witnessed birds with frost around their eyes and faces... check it out if you like.

P.S I hope you enjoy the lovely photos of nature that I'm using on my blogs..courtesy of Flickr until I upgrade to a digital camera..If you don't mind, please share with me what camera you like to use to photo what you love...Thank you I will greatly appreciate it

Monday, January 4, 2010

January weather in Michigan is not really a surprise to me, every year I come
to expect it, because it has always been a cruel and mean one, however, I was not prepared for yesterday's weather...Arctic like weather with wicked high winds blasted us with temperatures in the low teens...16 degrees that felt like 5!

Dressed from head to toe in extra winter garments, I made a mad dash to purchase extra birdseed and cocoa. I was so happy to arrive back home were I settled down in some cozy socks, Pj's, my robe and a cup of piping hot cocoa.

I sat in my bedroom chair that faces my back window.. This is one of my favorite rooms to sit and watch the activities and antics of my feathered friends, squirrels and those stubborn cats that come through.

I watched the cardinals feeding from a tree stump I placed against the back fence...The sparrows, purple and gold finches all ate from the feeder, while three junco's ate below.

They all amazed me as I watched them feed, fight and hop around as if it was a spring day!

How I pondered...is it, that these small creatures with their thin little bodies could withstand such extreme temperatures? ... How? ? ?

I could not and would not rest until I found the answer..so to the net I went, and here is the answer I found to my question.

Haven't you seen birds fluffing their feather's?..... Well, each time they perform this action, air is trapped between the feathers. This trapped air acts to insulate much like a down filled coat or sleeping bag and that's all there is to it... Nature has equipped and designed them to handle the Winter weather.

Now.... if I could just stop wondering where they sleep at night once they leave the feeders". hmmm" maybe I should just enjoy watching and feeding them and let Mother nature handle her business.